{"id":45692,"date":"2026-04-19T11:51:37","date_gmt":"2026-04-19T03:51:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sgbuzz.com\/?p=45692"},"modified":"2026-04-19T11:51:37","modified_gmt":"2026-04-19T03:51:37","slug":"football-fraternity-rallies-to-help-stroke-hit-ex-lions-goalkeeper-rezal-hassan","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sgbuzz.com\/?p=45692","title":{"rendered":"Football fraternity rallies to help stroke-hit ex-Lions goalkeeper Rezal Hassan"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><br \/>\n<\/p>\n<div>\n<p class=\"font-body-baseline-regular text-primary\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-annotation-test-id\">SINGAPORE \u2013 <!-- -->The local football community has rallied around former national team goalkeeper Rezal Hassan, as the 51-year-old recovers from a stroke suffered in September 2025.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"font-body-baseline-regular text-primary\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-annotation-test-id\">Several former teammates and close friends of Rezal came together on April 18 to play in a charity football match between social teams Sporting Tampines and Club Sukan Dramatis Singapura at Our Tampines Hub.<\/p>\n<p class=\"font-body-baseline-regular text-primary\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-annotation-test-id\">Acting Minister for Culture, Community and Youth David Neo as well as Rezal\u2019s former Lions teammates such as Malek Awab, Nazri Nasir and Fandi Ahmad were in attendance. <\/p>\n<p class=\"font-body-baseline-regular text-primary\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-annotation-test-id\">Rezal, who arrived in a wheelchair, gave a short address before kick-off. <\/p>\n<p class=\"font-body-baseline-regular text-primary\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-annotation-test-id\">The charity match, which was supported by Tampines North Community Club, was an initiative by Rezal\u2019s close friends who wanted to help him in a meaningful way after the former Singapore custodian was hit by a stroke seven months ago.<\/p>\n<p><iframe class=\"responsive-iframe-base instagram instagram-embed\" title=\"instagram embed\" scrolling=\"no\" src=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/p\/DXQzUNCDZtX\/embed\/captioned\/?omitscript=true\" allowfullscreen=\"\" allow=\"accelerometer;falseclipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share;\" loading=\"eager\" data-testid=\"responsiveIframe\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p class=\"font-body-baseline-regular text-primary\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-annotation-test-id\">According to Malay-language newspaper Berita Harian, Rezal is able to walk short distances without a wheelchair, although his mobility is still limited and while his hand strength is improving, he still finds it difficult to grip and control his finger movements like before.<\/p>\n<p class=\"font-body-baseline-regular text-primary\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-annotation-test-id\">BH also said that his wife, Suhaila Sahari, 49, has given up her school canteen business to take care of her husband full-time.<\/p>\n<p class=\"font-body-baseline-regular text-primary\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-annotation-test-id\">Sporting Tampines president, Yazrul Rahman Yassin, 39, said the aim of the charity match was to raise awareness of Rezal\u2019s situation and to support the fundraising efforts for him through <a href=\"https:\/\/give.asia\/campaign\/help-rezal-hassan-on-his-road-to-recovery?ref=inline-article%23%2Fstory#\/story\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" class=\"gap-x-04 items-center inline text-primary-60 select-auto\" aria-label=\"link\" target=\"_blank\" data-testid=\"custom-link\"><span class=\"font-body-baseline-regular inline\" data-testid=\"paragraph-test-id\">Give.Asia<\/span><\/a>, an online donation platform.<\/p>\n<p class=\"font-body-baseline-regular text-primary\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-annotation-test-id\">On the <a href=\"https:\/\/give.asia\/campaign\/help-rezal-hassan-on-his-road-to-recovery?ref=inline-article%23%2Fstory#\/story\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" class=\"gap-x-04 items-center inline text-primary-60 select-auto\" aria-label=\"link\" target=\"_blank\" data-testid=\"custom-link\"><span class=\"font-body-baseline-regular inline\" data-testid=\"paragraph-test-id\">fund-raising page for Rezal<\/span><\/a> \u2013 which shows that more than $7,700 has been raised so far \u2013 it is stated that he is now unable to work because of his medical condition.<\/p>\n<p class=\"font-body-baseline-regular text-primary\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-annotation-test-id\">The money raised will go towards medical expenses and rehabilitation costs, as well as living expenses for his family. The funds will also provide financial support for Rezal \u2013 who is unable to earn an income from his coaching roles \u2013 and his long-term care needs.<\/p>\n<p class=\"font-body-baseline-regular text-primary\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-annotation-test-id\">Yazrul said: \u201cIf you grew up in the 90s and watched football, you would know Rezal. When I learnt of his condition and how he and his family were left without an income after he suffered a stroke, his friends and I tried to do what we can to help him.<\/p>\n<p class=\"font-body-baseline-regular text-primary\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-annotation-test-id\">\u201cWe want to try and help him recover well and hopefully the match and the fund-raiser will do that.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"font-body-baseline-regular text-primary\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-annotation-test-id\">Mr Neo said in a statement: \u201cThis charity match reflects the strength of family, resilience of the human spirit, and the strong gotong royong spirit in Tampines. We stand together with Rezal, for no one walks alone. I encourage everyone to donate generously for this cause.\u201d<\/p>\n<figure class=\"default inline-media-wrapper\" data-testid=\"inline-media-test-id\">\n<div class=\"flex flex-col items-start relative w-fit\"><picture><source media=\"(max-width: 480px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cassette.sphdigital.com.sg\/image\/straitstimes\/7706363a5e69826d2860c431d9f0d4f471409d809a09cd961a6fca3b8fac9a4c?w=480\"\/><source media=\"(min-width: 481px) and (max-width: 720px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cassette.sphdigital.com.sg\/image\/straitstimes\/7706363a5e69826d2860c431d9f0d4f471409d809a09cd961a6fca3b8fac9a4c?w=720\"\/><source media=\"(min-width: 721px and max-width: 3999px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cassette.sphdigital.com.sg\/image\/straitstimes\/7706363a5e69826d2860c431d9f0d4f471409d809a09cd961a6fca3b8fac9a4c?w=900\"\/><source media=\"(min-width: 4000px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cassette.sphdigital.com.sg\/image\/straitstimes\/7706363a5e69826d2860c431d9f0d4f471409d809a09cd961a6fca3b8fac9a4c\"\/><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cassette.sphdigital.com.sg\/image\/straitstimes\/7706363a5e69826d2860c431d9f0d4f471409d809a09cd961a6fca3b8fac9a4c\" alt=\"\" class=\"aspect-default flex items-start shrink-0 object-cover default article-default mobile:w-auto tablet:w-auto\" data-testid=\"image-test-id\" loading=\"lazy\"\/><\/picture><\/div><figcaption class=\"mobile:mx-16 tablet:mx-00 flex flex-col gap-08 py-16 desktop:pb-24\">\n<p class=\"font-eyebrow-baseline-regular text-secondary\" data-testid=\"inline-media-caption-test-id\">Then national coach Jan Poulsen congratulates goalkeeper Rezal Hassan for making two saves in the penalty shoot-out to help the Lions beat Indonesia in a 2001 friendly. <\/p>\n<p class=\"font-eyebrow-baseline-regular text-placeholder\" data-testid=\"inline-media-credit-test-id\">PHOTO:  FILE<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p class=\"font-body-baseline-regular text-primary\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-annotation-test-id\">Known for his quick reflexes and command of the penalty box, Rezal won 60 caps for the national team from 1997 to 2003. <\/p>\n<p class=\"font-body-baseline-regular text-primary\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-annotation-test-id\">At 19, he received a call-up for the 1994 Malaysia Cup squad and was the third-choice goalkeeper in the Cup-winning team.<\/p>\n<p class=\"font-body-baseline-regular text-primary\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-annotation-test-id\">At 23, he was the first-choice goalkeeper as the Lions lifted the 1998 Tiger Cup (now known as the Asean Championship), keeping a clean sheet in a man-of-the-match performance as Singapore beat hosts Vietnam 1-0.<\/p>\n<p class=\"font-body-baseline-regular text-primary\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-annotation-test-id\">It was Singapore\u2019s first title in an international tournament.<\/p>\n<p class=\"font-body-baseline-regular text-primary\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-annotation-test-id\">In the domestic league, Rezal represented Singapore Armed Forces Football Club (SAFFC), Tampines Rovers and Woodlands Wellington until he was 37, winning league titles and the Singapore Cup with the Warriors and the Stags.<\/p>\n<p class=\"font-body-baseline-regular text-primary\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-annotation-test-id\">After retiring, he was a goalkeeper coach for SAFFC, before moving to Hougang United and Geylang International. Before his stroke, Rezal kept active by playing for a team of former internationals and worked as a youth goalkeeper coach with the ActiveSG Football Academy and several local schools.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"default inline-media-wrapper\" data-testid=\"inline-media-test-id\">\n<div class=\"flex flex-col items-start relative w-fit\"><picture><source media=\"(max-width: 480px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cassette.sphdigital.com.sg\/image\/straitstimes\/a535ed838eabb3e87f0701a873b98b8ee399c4cc21b2f2bf78e99ae0ef580660?w=480\"\/><source media=\"(min-width: 481px) and (max-width: 720px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cassette.sphdigital.com.sg\/image\/straitstimes\/a535ed838eabb3e87f0701a873b98b8ee399c4cc21b2f2bf78e99ae0ef580660?w=720\"\/><source media=\"(min-width: 721px and max-width: 3999px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cassette.sphdigital.com.sg\/image\/straitstimes\/a535ed838eabb3e87f0701a873b98b8ee399c4cc21b2f2bf78e99ae0ef580660?w=900\"\/><source media=\"(min-width: 4000px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cassette.sphdigital.com.sg\/image\/straitstimes\/a535ed838eabb3e87f0701a873b98b8ee399c4cc21b2f2bf78e99ae0ef580660\"\/><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cassette.sphdigital.com.sg\/image\/straitstimes\/a535ed838eabb3e87f0701a873b98b8ee399c4cc21b2f2bf78e99ae0ef580660\" alt=\"\" class=\"aspect-default flex items-start shrink-0 object-cover default article-default mobile:w-auto tablet:w-auto\" data-testid=\"image-test-id\" loading=\"lazy\"\/><\/picture><\/div><figcaption class=\"mobile:mx-16 tablet:mx-00 flex flex-col gap-08 py-16 desktop:pb-24\">\n<p class=\"font-eyebrow-baseline-regular text-secondary\" data-testid=\"inline-media-caption-test-id\">SAFFC\u2019S Rezal Hassan spreads himself to block an attempt at goal by Woodlands Wellington\u2019s Itimi Dickson (No. 11) in an S-League match in 2003. <\/p>\n<p class=\"font-eyebrow-baseline-regular text-placeholder\" data-testid=\"inline-media-credit-test-id\">PHOTO:  FILE<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p class=\"font-body-baseline-regular text-primary\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-annotation-test-id\">Former Lions forward Aleksandar Duric, who played in the charity match on April 18, said he was heartbroken to learn of Rezal\u2019s condition and cried when he saw him in person ahead of the match. <\/p>\n<figure class=\"landscape inline-media-wrapper\" data-testid=\"inline-media-test-id\">\n<div class=\"flex flex-col items-start relative w-fit\"><picture><source media=\"(max-width: 480px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cassette.sphdigital.com.sg\/image\/straitstimes\/390a6341bea23844b5cff27b155f3e3cf613b3211b0121093951b603f68c5bca?w=480\"\/><source media=\"(min-width: 481px) and (max-width: 720px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cassette.sphdigital.com.sg\/image\/straitstimes\/390a6341bea23844b5cff27b155f3e3cf613b3211b0121093951b603f68c5bca?w=720\"\/><source media=\"(min-width: 721px and max-width: 3999px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cassette.sphdigital.com.sg\/image\/straitstimes\/390a6341bea23844b5cff27b155f3e3cf613b3211b0121093951b603f68c5bca?w=900\"\/><source media=\"(min-width: 4000px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cassette.sphdigital.com.sg\/image\/straitstimes\/390a6341bea23844b5cff27b155f3e3cf613b3211b0121093951b603f68c5bca\"\/><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cassette.sphdigital.com.sg\/image\/straitstimes\/390a6341bea23844b5cff27b155f3e3cf613b3211b0121093951b603f68c5bca\" alt=\"\" class=\"aspect-landscape flex items-start shrink-0 object-cover landscape article-landscape mobile:w-auto tablet:w-auto\" data-testid=\"image-test-id\" loading=\"lazy\"\/><\/picture><\/div><figcaption class=\"mobile:mx-16 tablet:mx-00 flex flex-col gap-08 py-16 desktop:pb-24\">\n<p class=\"font-eyebrow-baseline-regular text-secondary\" data-testid=\"inline-media-caption-test-id\">Former Manchester United midfielder Luke Chadwick tried his best but could get the ball past goalkeeper Rezal Hassan when the Red Devils faced Singapore in 2001. <\/p>\n<p class=\"font-eyebrow-baseline-regular text-placeholder\" data-testid=\"inline-media-credit-test-id\">PHOTO: ST FILE<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p class=\"font-body-baseline-regular text-primary\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-annotation-test-id\">The 55-year-old said: \u201cSeeing a fellow human being in this condition is tough and even more heartbreaking when it is a close buddy. We played in a few ex-internationals matches together and he was always the joker of the pack and making us all laugh.<\/p>\n<p class=\"font-body-baseline-regular text-primary\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-annotation-test-id\">\u201cWhen I was at SAFFC, he was the Tampines goalkeeper and he was one of the best in the league, always tough to beat. He is a good leader and always led his team well so you can imagine how sad it is to see him like this.<\/p>\n<p class=\"font-body-baseline-regular text-primary\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-annotation-test-id\">\u201cBut I wish him a good and full recovery and I and many others will be looking to see how we can continue to help him.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"font-body-baseline-regular text-primary\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-annotation-test-id\">Those who are keen to support the fundraising effort can do so at: <a href=\"https:\/\/give.asia\/campaign\/help-rezal-hassan-on-his-road-to-recovery?ref=inline-article%23%2Fstory#\/story\" rel=\"noopener\" class=\"gap-x-04 items-center inline text-primary-60 select-auto\" aria-label=\"link\" target=\"_self\" data-testid=\"custom-link\"><span class=\"font-body-baseline-regular inline\" data-testid=\"paragraph-test-id\"><a href=\"https:\/\/give.asia\/campaign\/help-rezal-hassan-on-his-road-to-recovery?ref=inline-article%23%2Fstory#\/story\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" class=\"gap-x-04 items-center inline text-primary-60 select-auto\" aria-label=\"link\" target=\"_blank\" data-testid=\"custom-link\"><span class=\"font-body-baseline-regular inline\" data-testid=\"paragraph-test-id\">https:\/\/give.asia\/campaign\/help-rezal-hassan-on-his-road-to-recovery#\/story<\/span><\/a><\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p><script async src=\"\/\/www.instagram.com\/embed.js\"><\/script><br \/>\n<br \/><br \/>\n<br \/><a href=\"https:\/\/www.straitstimes.com\/sport\/football\/former-lions-rally-to-help-stroke-hit-goalkeeper-rezal-hassan\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Read Full Article At Source <\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>SINGAPORE \u2013 The local football community has rallied around former national team goalkeeper Rezal Hassan, as the 51-year-old recovers from a stroke suffered in September&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":45693,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"fifu_image_url":"","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[2611],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-45692","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-buzz-headlines","wpcat-2611-id"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/sgbuzz.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/45692","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/sgbuzz.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/sgbuzz.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sgbuzz.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sgbuzz.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=45692"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/sgbuzz.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/45692\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sgbuzz.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/45693"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/sgbuzz.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=45692"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sgbuzz.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=45692"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sgbuzz.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=45692"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}